What does ch-bow mean in crochet?

Answer 1

I looked around, and I couldn't find a specific definition, but I understand what "ch-bow" means. It might be an acronym for "below original work," would be my best guess.

What you are doing, is when you have made a horizontal chain stitch between "higher" stitches, when you come back on the next row, and get to those chain stitches, don't worry about crocheting into the chain stitches, just crochet into the "space" of the chain.

For example: pattern reads" 4dc, 2ch, 4dc, 2ch, 4dc.

What you would be doing is making a filet pattern--block (4dc), space (2ch), block (4dc), space (2ch) and end row with a block (4dc)

Now if row 2 states that you are to make a block "over" the 2ch, i.e. 16dc (or some-such instruction).

Instead of attempting to poke your hook into each chain stitch, just make your loop so that it goes below the chain stitch, and then continue making your double crochet, or whichever stitch you are making.

Oftentimes, it's not really specified how to make the dc into the ch stitch--leaving that decision to the crocheter. Being that this is probably translated from another language, it would be "understood" to make a dc into a ch st in this manner.

Added:

After talking to a number of crocheters, there is another possibility... That is that "bow" is an abbreviation for "below."

Therefore, 'ch-bow' would mean to stitch into the "chain below."